From the comic Tin Tin in Thailand.
If you are going Phuket for the first time and still not quite decided on the plans of what to do there. Then this is for you.
By the way, yes, if you are not the first time in Phuket. The question of what to do there may still be relevant.
All people have different opinions and different interests, someone likes history and temples, someone prefers outdoor activities, and someone, on the contrary, just loves relaxation under the sun. Of course you can't please everyone. But this island is good for that, almost everyone can find something to their liking.
Well, are you ready to decide how you will spend your time in Phuket?
By the way, when my friends come to visit me. I recommend them all the same.
1. Visit small islands. It can be any island of which there are a lot. , or the island of Racha. It can be a one-day, two- or even three-day trip, it doesn't matter. But when you come to Phuket, you must definitely visit a small island.
2. First time in Phuket? First time in Thailand? The most party, the most outspoken and the most drunken street on the whole Island. Yes, if you don’t like all this, and I, for example, don’t like such things, then this place is still worth visiting. Phuket's eternal carnival. Every day and all year round- The people are dancing merrily and transvstites too!
3. Try local, spicy and not so spicy cuisine. Be sure to try Thai cuisine, you will not find such a combination of tastes anywhere else. Arrange yourself a small gastronomic tour, forgetting about the figure for a while, and experience new taste sensations. Without fear, having tried everything and even the most terrible-looking. The main thing here is to choose the right food. The right restaurant will save both budget and health. Phuket has very good seafood and one a good place I can advise, it is located on the beach, where you can also choose seafood for every taste, and then they will cook it in front of you. There is another good place
And of course, you need to try all the exotic, Thai fruits. You still have to forget about the diet.
And don't skimp on cheap places to eat, or you'll spend more on toilet paper.
4. Ride Asian Elephants through the real jungle and arrange a mini safari. Elephant riding is honestly something that people usually do once in a lifetime. They understand that there is nothing interesting in this and never repeat it again. But it will do for once, and the children like it, so we put it on the list. (There is a bit about elephants here).
5. Visiting Thai temples and observation platforms. There are two places in Phuket that you must visit. This is Wat Chaolong, the largest and most famous temple on the island. And a big Buddha statue.
- Wat Chaalong, at least, you need to visit at least in order to understand what Thai temples are like in general.
– The second place is a big Buddha statue. First of all, this is the most big statue seated Buddha on the island. Secondly, it is located on a hill and is an excellent observation deck. Therefore, feel free to add it to your list of places to visit.
6. Evening show with elephants. There are now two such shows with elephants on the island. This show Siam Nimiramit and show. Here I will not write which is better - all felt-tip pens are different in taste and color. Especially when it comes to such vivid performances.
If you have not seen either one or the other, choose any. I liked the food that is included in the show program everywhere.
All the beaches of the island are very different.
7. Number seven is the simplest entertainment - go to another beach. But the simplest does not mean that it is less exciting. All beaches in Phuket are different. And the feeling of relaxing on different beaches is different. You should not spend all the time on the same beach, at the place of residence. Get up early, have breakfast and go with your whole company to another beach. Usually a taxi to a nearby beach costs about 300 baht. . (about different beaches there is here).
8. Shopping. I won't say much about this job. You know how exciting it is.
What interesting things can be bought here?
I can highlight the following products: cheap textiles, gems, products from the skin of exotic animals, souvenirs from local wood species, sea pearls and jewelry made from marine materials. Various spas such as oils, creams, aromas, etc. Some also enjoy Thai ethnoscience. Religious items such as statues of Buddha or Ganesha.
And of course electronics, where to buy electronics in Phuket you can read here.
9. Rent a motorbike and ride it around the island. The occupation is extremely dangerous and I would not recommend doing it. Although I confess, I myself ride a motorbike.
Whoever wants to go will go anyway, so those who decide not to stay long will join the free community of bikers in Phuket. And feel the spirit of the roads yourself. The first thing I recommend is to always wear a helmet, the second is to read this material here - wrote .
10. Last in the ranking. But sometimes the most frequent and important activity is Thai Massage. Covered in secrets and legends and possessing healing properties Thai massage at a price of 250 to 1000 baht for an hour or two of work will make your holiday in Thailand …
If you liked the article, you can leave a comment below. Believe me, not only you are reading this article and your opinion will be interesting and useful. Have a nice holiday.
You may also be interested in the following notes:
After relaxing on the beaches of Phuket () and visiting interesting places islands (), you can get ready for the road.
On the road along the road leading from the island (through the Sarasin Bridge) to the continent - after all, Phuket is an island.
You need to rent a car to travel.
If you could get by with a scooter to travel from beach to beach in Phuket, then for a trip outside of Phuket you need a more reliable and comfortable means of transportation.
- details how to do it.
Save on your own, and the health of loved ones is the last thing.
Pilai beach
Silver sand, silence good hotels and villas are not for everyone
Natai beach
Khao Lak
Resort north of Phuket Khao Lak located 70 km from Phuket Airport.
It takes about 40 minutes by car.
The road is easy - all the time straight.
Holidays in Khao Lak, by the way, are cheaper than in Phuket.
Housing, food, shops, laundry services are somewhere around 30-40 percent cheaper than on the tourist beaches of Phuket.
There are several beaches on Khao Lak and all of them are marked on the map above.
I tried to write in detail about this place.
And although I was on Khao Lak in the rainy season, I liked it here.
Somehow at home here, cozy and quiet.
In general, if you are tired of some Patong in Phuket - in Khao Lak you will rest from the crowds and noise.
Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake
This place is not so far from Khao Lak.
Therefore, you can combine a trip from Phuket by visiting these two places.
Cheow Lan Lake- This is a reservoir.
After the construction of a dam on the river Klong Saeng the space between the castra (limestone) rocks was flooded along with several villages.
including the village Ban Chiew Lan(chimneys of houses can be seen above the surface of the lake).
The village of Khao Sok is used as a base for visiting this reservoir.
The bulk of housing is located in the tourist village of Khao Sok.
The lake is 60 km from here.
Those who want to live on the lake can stay in floating huts on Cheow Lan - they are called here rafthouses.
There are few amenities in the houses: a mattress on the floor, a mosquito net and a kayak for rent.
But there are also worthy options for floating housing on Cheow Lan Lake, for example 500 Rai Floating Resort- houses on the water are civil, with a shower, with air conditioning.
It should be noted that Cheow Lan Lake is very popular with Thais, so you need to book a rafthouse well in advance.
I decided to write a lot about those places that I haven’t visited for a long time, since I’m going to Thailand beyond the sea and the beach.
The quality of both in Phuket suits me completely.
What can not be said about the places listed below.
Similan Islands and Surin Island
The Similan Islands are located in the sea opposite Khao Lak.
Surin Island is slightly to the north and closer to the continent.
I was in the Similan Islands at the beginning of 2000 and even then this place was a pilgrimage for organized tourist groups.
Currently, as people who have recently been there write on the forum, the islands and the sea around are teeming with groups of Chinese tourists.
For those who do not like crowds, I do not recommend going there.
Can buy sightseeing tour from Phuket to Similan Islands ()
Those who are trying to get to the Similans not with a tour, but on their own, write about ways to get to the islands.
In short - from Khao Lak 20 km pier Tab Lamu Pier. From it go to the Similans passenger boats.
Housing on the Similans presented campgrounds ()
Phi Phi Islands
Famous and popular place.
The Phi Phi Islands became famous thanks to the film with the participation of DiCaprio "The Beach".
The film was partly filmed in the most famous bay desert island Phi Phi Le, after expelling all tourists and boaters from it.
To complete the picture, the film crew needed to remove part of the dune, covered with ugly vegetation. For this, filmmakers were kicked out of the island and fined.
I can’t say anything about this place - I was last here in 2003.
But a tour to the Phi Phi Islands is popular with tourists.
You can buy on every corner in Phuket.
inhabited island Phi Phi Don presented on booking.
For those who want to live in small island, which is visited daily by thousands of tourists from Phuket and Krabi.
Phang Nga National Park
For those who like to walk through the jungle to Thai waterfalls and take a boat ride among the hummock-shaped islands that Phang Nga Bay is full of.
If you go from Phuket, then after the Sarasin Bridge, the park immediately begins - you just have to turn right, to the east.
Pastime here is mainly designed for those who rent a kayak or like to join rafting.
Krabi: Ao Nang, Railay, Tup Kaek
This place is east of Phang Nga Park.
It takes 2-3 hours from Phuket by car.
Krabi province is famous for its beaches Reilly(lovers of rock climbing stop there) and the place Ao Nang where most of the tourist accommodation is concentrated.
More remote part of Krabi - Tup Kaek.
This is a beach, I even have a review about it:.
Ao Nang is used as a base for trips to the islands where you can swim.
You can swim in Ao Nang itself, but the sea is shallow and therefore dirty.
The islands of Chicken, Buddha, Bond - again, all this is in the descriptions of tourists who write reviews about Thailand on the forum.
Hot springs in Krabi: There are many places around Krabi town where you can take a hot bath and drink a cup of coffee.
Joking aside, there are people in the tropics who want to get into hot water. For example sources Natta Vari(Nattha Waree Hot Springs), Krabi Hot Springs or Hot Springs Waterfall with a cascade of natural baths with mineral water.
The cost of the entrance ticket is 80 baht.
Koh Lanta
An island of hippies that is trying to bite off part of the tourist flow to Phuket and Koh Samui.
For what?
It used to be quite legal to smoke weed here.
Mostly European bums and drug addicts stayed here.
Then they began to develop business, attracting another public - richer.
The thing is going.
Villas appeared on Lanta - I stayed in one of them and.
I did not like the sea and beaches on Koh Lanta.
But there are lovers of this place - they say that it is cheap here. And by the way, for many, this is the main indicator.
Well, my review on the forum about Koh Lanta is called:.
5 /5 (28 )Thailand is a very popular destination among lovers of beach and sea holidays. And, of course, Phuket enjoys special love. Going on a trip, many tourists think in advance about where to go in Phuket. Since Thailand is a place of exotic concentration, it is worth getting to know this wonderful country better.
Island beaches
Once you get to the hotel after a long journey, you want, on the one hand, to relax, and on the other hand, there is no desire to waste precious minutes of rest for sleep. After all, Thailand is so beautiful that you need to have time to see a lot. Do not even think about where to go in Phuket. The first place to visit is the beach. After all, it is for the sake of the sandy coast and warm sea thousands of tourists come here every year.
The choice of beaches on the island is incredibly large, we will list only the best of them: Karon, Kata, Surin, Nai Harn, Kata Noi, Kamala, Rawai, Bang Tao, Panwa, Mai Khao, Yanui, Kalim, Nai Thon, Nai Yang, Freedom , Pansy. Each of them has its own characteristics and charms.
For swimming, the west coast is most convenient and southern part islands. But more quiet places can be found in the northwest of Phuket and in the south. The most noisy and cheerful are the famous Kata, Karon and Patong. There are discos, shops and hotels. The largest number of people appear here during the high season. If you are visiting the island for the first time, then it is worth visiting as many beaches as possible. This is possible if you actively move around. After all, to form your opinion about the coast, it is worth seeing it. Then next time you will have no doubts about where to go in Phuket. Tourists visiting the island not for the first time are already consciously returning to their favorite places.
party beaches
When wondering where to go in Phuket, be guided by the purpose of your trip. If you are looking for active parties and entertainment, then there is a direct road to Patong Beach. It is he who leads the list of party places of the entire coast. There are diving centers, nightclubs, massage parlors, nightclubs for adults, transvestite shows and more for guests. The question of where to go in Patong (Phuket) is simply inappropriate. There are so many attractions in the area that one vacation is clearly not enough to try them out. The main party place is the incredibly famous Bangla Road. It is here that the main nightlife establishments are concentrated.
Young people love to relax on the equally famous Karon Beach. Of particular interest is his Northern part with developed infrastructure.
One more beautiful place on the coast is Surini beach. Of course, it doesn't compare to Patong, but it's still a lot of fun here too.
Beaches for families with children
Party places are not very good for families with children. For parents, first of all, cleanliness and convenient entry into the sea are important. There are several beaches in Phuket that are most suitable for kids. One of them is Kata. Despite the fact that there are no bars and nightclubs, the coast is great for family vacation. The coast has a smooth entry without vegetation and stones, high and low tides are extremely rare here. And shallow water is a great place for kids.
Another place worth recommending for children is Nai Harn. It is here that the Thais themselves prefer to relax. There are practically no loud establishments here, and in the evenings it is very quiet and calm. In the southern part there is a warm undercurrent, in this place, as a rule, many children are always swarming.
Worthy of attention is Bang Tao, the length of which is about seven kilometers. Sufficiently long shallow water is formed here at low tide. The beach has a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
Nai Yang has an incredibly long and gentle entry into the sea. During periods of severe low tides, the shoal becomes so long that it is difficult to reach the depth. For holidays with children, Mai Kak can also be recommended, and not because it has a gently sloping coastline, but because there is no question of where to go with a child in Phuket. After all, on the beach itself there is a water park called Splash Jungle. By the way, this is the only water park on the whole island.
Family holiday
Where can you go in Phuket with children? The choice of objects for entertainment is quite large. No wonder the island is one of the world's best resorts for couples with children. There are so many entertainments here that they will be enough for more than one vacation.
All kinds of amusement parks are very popular in Phuket. Fanta Sea is in particular demand. There are playgrounds and attractions for the guests of the park, as well as animators who conduct entertainment activities for children. On the territory of Fanta Sea there is a beautiful pond with carps and catfish, a kingdom of tigers and other interesting places. Visitors can ride elephants and eat at local cafes.
Another wonderful place in Phuket (Thailand), where you should definitely go, is the dinopark. On its territory you can see a lot of incredibly realistic stuffed dinosaurs and other ancient creatures. Photos taken in the park will surprise all your friends. Children are incredibly happy with such a walk.
With schoolchildren, you should go to the butterfly park. On its territory are held very interesting excursions. In the park you can see such butterflies that live only in the untouched forests of the tropics. During a fascinating excursion, guides will tell you a lot about insects and their benefits.
Where to go in Karon (Phuket)
In Karon, as in any resort, there are many water activities- skiing, banana, parasailing and more. The beach is very good for snorkeling and diving. Surfers like to relax here, because from time to time the sea pleases them. big waves. Of the local attractions, it is worth seeing the temple "Vot Karon". Despite the fact that the building is a little over a hundred years old, it is incredibly beautiful. Ceremonies are still held in it. In the southern part of the beach is the Dinopark, which we mentioned earlier.
There are many massage and spa salons in the Karon area, which are also worth a visit.
Where to go in Kata (Phuket)? You should definitely go to the Karon observation deck, which was previously called Kata. From here you have a stunning view of the entire coast. All tourists try to get here.
Surf House is no less interesting. Every surfer dreams of visiting this place, because here you can ride the waves in any weather. The swimming pool of the establishment is something amazing. Waves are created using generators, so they are always there. Even inexperienced surfers can ride them.
In the east of Kata Beach is the Kata Temple. It is built at the very foot of a mountain covered with tropical greenery. The temple was erected in 1832. But despite its decent age, the building is maintained in excellent condition and appears before tourists in bright colors among lush greenery.
Phuket Attractions
The island is famous not only for its beaches, therefore, when going on vacation, you should think over the route in advance, where to go. In the list of “must sees” of any tourist, the statue of the Big Buddha, which is located in the Chalong area, is in the first place. The figure of the Buddha is so impressive that it can be seen from almost anywhere on the island. Its height reaches 45 meters. The Buddha guards the entrance to the temple and the observation deck, where all the tourists crowd, wanting to take amazing photos.
The Shell Museum is a place that will appeal not only to kids, but also to adults. Its exposition includes more than two thousand shells that have been collected for forty years. Very rare exhibits are presented here. The collection of shells is displayed in such a way that visitors can clearly see the differences between different items. Here you can see the world's largest gold pearl of 140 carats.
Phuket Aquarium
If you are considering ideas where to go in Phuket, then it is worth remembering such an entertaining place as an aquarium. This is for those who want to see underwater world, but it does not want to dive under water. In the aquariums of the institution there are several hundred fish, as well as other underwater inhabitants. The aquarium is divided into different parts, each of which has its own theme. So, in " coral reefs” you can see living creatures that became the prototypes of the cartoon characters about the Nemo fish. On weekends, visitors can witness the feeding of predatory sharks. The highlight of the aquarium is a long tunnel, walking along which you feel like you are on the seabed.
pearl farm
Women and girls are very fond of going to the pearl farm. Traveling to the Nakha farm allows you to learn a lot about the technology of growing jewels.
Guides show guests the main stages of pearl formation. And the farm's jewelers demonstrate the main stages of processing and making jewelry. At the end of the tour, tourists are given the opportunity to purchase pearl products in a local shop.
snake farm
Tourists tend to Phuket for the exotic. Oddly enough, trips to the snake farm are very popular among vacationers. On it, guests can watch shows with the participation of pythons and cobras. At the end of the show program, tourists are offered to visit a local shop with snakeskin products, which are very popular among guests.
Sirinat Park
If you are looking for where to go in Phuket on your own, then one of the options you can consider going to Sirinat Park. Not only tourists love to relax on its territory, but also locals. The park has three well-maintained beaches, as well as rainforests, untouched by human hands. The Sirinat coast is washed by clearest waters seas.
The park is home to the famous Splash Jungle Water Park. On the territory of the complex, tourists can try out a variety of water attractions. Hiking in the mangrove forests is also organized for visitors. Tourist routes pass through the most beautiful places. If you like these places, you can stay in the park in a bungalow for a few days.
Where to go for a walk in the evening?
Many tourists go to Thailand for the nightlife. Where to go in the evening in Phuket? The island in this regard is a kind of entertainment center. Each beach area has its own beer bars, nightclubs and other establishments. The leader of night entertainment is Patong. It is this beach that most of the tourists who come to Phuket choose. Patong for sure the best place for active entertainment.
The central street on which the center of nightlife is located is Bangla Road. During the daytime, the street looks exactly the same as other streets in the city. But with the onset of the evening, it changes dramatically, turning into one big night club. Once on Bangla Road for the first time, any tourist is immersed in the atmosphere of incendiary fun. True, there are a lot of transsexuals in local bars and discos. For Thailand, this is quite a common thing.
Go-go bars are also very popular with tourists. If you do not like such places, then you can go to any nightclub to listen to music and order drinks. In rock bars you can enjoy the best rock works in live performances.
Instead of an afterword
Phuket is an amazingly interesting place, which is of interest not only in terms of a beach holiday, but also the opportunity to see interesting places famous resort. boasts a large number of attractions worth seeing. Do not forget about shopping. Thailand is famous for leather goods, jewelry, cosmetics and medicines. Resting in Phuket, you can buy wonderful gifts for relatives.
What is the exchange rate for the Thai Baht today? In the post, all prices will be given in local Baht, so the exchange rate of Baht today is important: 1 Euro = 38 Baht; $1 = 35 Baht.
What is more profitable, to go on an excursion or to see the sights on your own? Since Thailand is still a wild country and with its own mentality, far from all corners of the country can be reached in a comfortable civilized way. Moreover, public transport here is specific: the locals charge taxi prices for visitors, it is not safe to rent bikes or a car, so the easiest option to ride around the area is to take a tour. The funny thing is that excursions can come out at a price lower than if you get to different places on the island on your own.
What language are the tours in?? Most of the tours are conducted in English and Russian. It didn't matter to us what language to listen to the guide in, and we traveled with both Russians and foreigners. The level of excursions and transport is approximately the same for everyone. True, sometimes scammers come across with terrible transport and service; a lot of negative reviews are written about such companies on the Internet.
Where to buy excursions? Tours can be bought online or at tour kiosks in Phuket. On the island itself, in all places where tourists crowd, it feeds a large number of sellers of excursions, often these are outbids. Prices vary greatly: for the same excursion, the price for the same service can differ by 2-3 times! Finding direct sellers of your excursions is unrealistic: everything is confusing in Phuket, and you’ll understand who organizes the tour, who is outbid, and who is outbid. Everywhere at hotels, at shopping centers, on beaches, on pedestrian streets there will be a huge offer of travel options. Some will say that the occupancy is high, and you need to go faster, otherwise the places will run out. Maybe at the peak of the season this is true, but we calmly bought everything the day before the excursions, and there were no problems with places. You can also bargain with the seller of excursions, and if he is ready to greatly reduce the cost of the excursion, then it means that the organization of such a tour will be dumb, or they may simply not come to the hotel for you. Therefore, it is better to buy excursions in trusted companies.
Entrance tickets to events. In addition to trips, sellers of excursions can buy entrance tickets for various events. Often it is much more profitable than buying tickets yourself. For example, at Simon's Transvestites show, we bought tickets for 550 baht (we bargained, the initial price was 700), and at the box office the entrance ticket cost 800-1000 baht. As you can see, you can save a lot.
Excursions to the islands
The most popular excursions are visiting exotic islands: , Similan Islands, James Bond Island and others. We went on a couple of such excursions, and this is how one of the excursions we visited called “Phi Phi Islands for 1 day” went, which consisted of the following: a visit to DiCaprio Phi Phi Island with Maya Bay, Paradise Island Kai, snorkeling, lunch and swimming on Phi Phi Don island, monkey beach, swimming in a picturesque radon bay with beautiful sheer cliffs.
- 7:30 - We were picked up by minibus from the hotel and taken to the pier. From type Patong, Karon transfer to the pier is free.
- 8:00 - Arrival at the pier. At the pier, there is a safety briefing on the water and on a speedboat. Here you can drink tea or coffee with cookies, this was included in the price of the tour. One of the representatives of the company in a shop near the pier offered tourists to buy the necessary things for the tour: a hat, sunblock, protective cases for the phone for $ 5 (they cost $ 1 on aliexpress). The only divorce is to rent fins. it was said that while snorkeling, you can hurt your feet on the corals. But while swimming, the legs did not reach the corals at all, and 200 baht for renting fins for one person was wasted.
- 9:30 - Arrive at Phi Phi Le Island at Maya Bay in 45 minutes. The trip was on a speedboat, we were lucky and there were no waves. The boat goes very fast, and in the presence of waves it shakes so that people feel sick. Even in calm weather, the water so overflows normally onto the deck. I want to warn you that it is better not to take expensive things on the tour, and you need to go immediately in bathing suits.
- 10:30 - We sail from the island of Phi Phi, go to see the monkeys, swim in a romantic beautiful bay.
- 12:00 - Arrival at Koh Phi Phi Don for lunch at a beach restaurant. Lunch is dumb and very meager, drinks and food are included in the price of the tour. After lunch, we swam, took more photos, walked around the island. And here is an unpleasant moment: on the island we took people who went on a two-day excursion. And this means that there were 32 people on our boat instead of the allowed 25. It became uncomfortable to ride due to lack of space.
- 13:30 - Went to the bay for snorkelling. After diving, the captain of the ship sliced a cold watermelon, which came in handy, for the heat was already hellish. After swimming, we arrived at the paradise island with white sand Kai.
- 16:00 - Departure to the port in Phuket. After 20-30 minutes we were in place and after another 30 minutes we were taken to the hotel in a Toyota minibus.
Summing up, I can say that the tour went well, the guide was a cheerful positive guy. Liked that the boat always had free cold water and the speedboat and minibus transfer was fairly new and comfortable. We visited all the places described in the booklet. The only negative moments: a fin rental divorce, people added to the boat and an unpleasant photographer girl who obsessively and shamelessly offered her services. A girl should learn culture and buy a normal camera for shooting.
The tour cost us 2000 baht, masks and snorkeling tubes were included in the price of the tour (scam travel agencies ask for a surcharge of 300-500 Baht for mask rental). The most interesting thing is that there were people on the tour who bought the tour from the tour operator in the hotel for 3200 baht.
If you decide to visit the Phi Phi Islands on your own, then you need to take a steam bath to get to the pier, then you need to find a ferry, on which it takes a long time to reach the island. And in order to ride to Maya Bay, you will need to negotiate with the local natives. As a result, the final cost of the trip is not clear, you can spend precious rest time waiting for the ferry, boats - all this is a hassle, and it is easier to go on an excursion.
Conclusion about excursions to the islands: All excursions from Phuket to the nearest islands are about the same: transfer from the hotel to the port, speedboat, islands, lunch, swimming, islands, road back. If you are traveling for 2 days, then there will be an overnight stay at the hotel. My advice, if you have limited time in Phuket, it is best to go to Phi Phi for 1 day, and to the Similan Islands for 2 days, because. the road to these islands is much more tiring, and these islands are very picturesque, just like the Seychelles.
Sightseeing tours in Phuket
Phuket sightseeing tours are a great way to spend time and explore the main points of the island. The tour is cheaper than renting a taxi and independent purchase entrance tickets. All sightseeing tours around the island are a kind of hodgepodge, collected from visits to several places, shows and elephant rides.
We chose a trip that included visiting following places: Kata Viewpoint, Elephant Ride, Monkey Show & Baby Elephant Photography, Chalong Temple, Pearl Factory, Walnut & Honey Factory. Our tour cost 700 baht, although the Indian seller originally wanted 1300. The duration of our tour was 3-4 hours.
Below will be a list options sightseeing tours around Phuket, which can be found in local travel companies.
- Elephant ride 30 minutes; Observation deck Kata; Elephant show; Big Buddha; Monkey show; Show with snakes; Visit to the pearl factory and shopping, Visit to the factory of nuts and honey.
- Market; Chalong Temple, Elephant Show; Big Buddha; Visit to the pearl factory and shopping, Visit to the factory of nuts and honey.
- Viewpoint Kata; Chalong Temple; Elephant show; Big Buddha; Chinese temple; Visiting a pearl factory and shopping, Visiting a nut and honey factory and Watching the sunset at .
- Elephant ride 30 minutes; Viewpoint Kata; Chalong Temple; Big Buddha; Monkey show; Jungle quad biking Visit to the pearl factory and shopping, Visit to the factory of nuts and honey.
- Elephant ride 30 minutes; Viewpoint Kata; Chalong Temple; Big Buddha; Monkey show; Elephant show; Jungle quad biking Visiting the pearl factory and shopping, Visiting the factory of nuts and honey; Canoeing through the mangroves; Walk through the old town of Phuket Town.
- Big Buddha; Elephant ride 30 minutes; Bird show; Dolphin show; Chalong Temple.
The cost of such excursions varies, as a rule, from 500 baht to 2500 baht. The cost depends on the comfort of the minibus, the adequacy of the driver, the number of places visited and the cheating dealers. The duration of these excursions varies from 2 to 7 hours. Considering that on farms riding only on elephants costs 500-1000 baht, then I think that visiting such an excursion is very profitable.
Complete table of all excursions in Phuket
| Name Excursions in Phuket | approximate price in Bath |
|---|---|
| Excursions to the islands | |
| 11 islands 2 days / 1 night - you will be taken to the main islands andaman sea | 4100 |
| James Bond Islands | 1550-3800 |
| Krabi Islands | 1600-2000 |
| Phi Phi for 1 day by speedboat | 1500-3200 |
| Phi Phi for 2 days | 3600 |
| Islands Coral, Racha, Maiton | 1400 |
| Similan Islands for 2 days, overnight in a tent | 4450-4800 |
| All the islands of the Andaman Sea in 1 day | 3200-3700 |
| National parks | |
| Khao Lak Safari | 1100 |
| Khao Sok jungle and safari 1 or 2 days | 1500-4300 |
| Leisure | |
| Splash Jungle Water Park + transfer | 1000-1700 |
| Wakeboarding | 800-1600 |
| Diving on Paradise Island | 2500-3900 |
| Jungle quad biking | 1050 |
| Flight of the Gibbon - an attraction that is a flight on a cable between platforms laid in the jungle. | 1800-2700 |
| Rafting in the mangroves | 900-1700 |
| Fishing | 1250-2500 |
| Safari | 800-1400 |
| Entry tickets | |
| 3D Museum or Museum of Optical Illusions (Phuket Trick Eye Museum) | |
| XXX show for adults is where the actors get up with their genitals | 800-900 |
| Botanical Garden and a butterfly garden | 800 |
| Dolphinarium. Swimming with dolphins for 5000. | 600-1000 |
| Zoo + transfer | 750 |
| Tiger Kingdom + transfer | 1000-2000 |
| Shell Museum | 200 |
| Oceanarium | 180 |
| Bird Park + transfer | 700 |
| Upside Down House | 500 |
| orchid garden | 200 |
| Thai boxing at Bangla stadium or Sai Nam Yen | 1200-1800 |
| Show Siam Niramit | 1400-1700 |
| Transvestite Show Aphrodite | 550-800 |
| Simon's Transvestite Show | 550-1000 |
| Show Fantasy (FantaSea) | 1850 |
| Excursions to other countries and regions | |
| Koh Samui 2 days | $230, round-trip ticket from $180 |
| Singapore for 2 days, no visa required for Russian citizens | $300-430, round-trip ticket from $69 |
| Malaysia for 2 days, visa for Russian citizens is not required | $300-380, round-trip ticket from $78 |
| Cambodia for 2 days, no visa required for Russian citizens | from $400-500 |
| Myanmar (Burma) | $400-500 |
Last year, once on the island, we were faced with the question - where to go to Phuket? Which area to choose? Where to stay so that the environment is exactly what we need. What is the best area in Phuket? After 7 months of living on the island, we were able to explore the main areas of Phuket and now we will briefly analyze the most popular ones to find out which area will be optimal for you.
Districts of Phuket
To decide where to go to Phuket, read the description of each area, see photos of the beaches, compare the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. Let's start with the most popular destinations among our tourists. We ourselves, when we first arrived and were still inexperienced, thought that we would live on Karon or Katya
Karon - a huge beach and Russian tourists
The Karon area is almost always filled with tourists, as many vacationers have chosen this place. It is crowded, developed and not boring. There are many restaurants and bars on the right and left sides. Shops, pharmacies, stalls with excursions and everything that a tourist can need on his vacation.
There are 2 markets, one of which is on the territory of the temple. Night life not as developed as in Patong, Phuket's most party area, but you won't be bored here either, because there are always a couple of places to go in the Karon ring area in the evening.
Karon beach 
Karon city
A different audience rests on Karon. All decent, inadequate did not notice. Many Russians, many European pensioners, but also many young people and even tourists with children. Although the waves in the Karon area are not at all childish. More details about beach holiday read in the article -.
Patong - noise and crowds of tourists of all nationalities
No less popular than Karon, and to be more precise, Patong is the most promoted place on the island. There are crowds of tourists and it is here that you can meet all the nationalities of the world.
The Patong area is the most developed. There is an embankment, a large shopping center, and a huge number of cafes with shopping arcades.
View of Patong
Life is in full swing even at night. After all, Patong is home to the famous Bangla Road, an analogue of Walking Street in Pattaya. It is noisy, crowded and there is always somewhere to go. Nightclubs are open until early morning. We advise all those who are looking for an incendiary youth holiday with discos and round-the-clock traffic - choose Patong, this is definitely for you.
Bangla Road
On the contrary, we would not advise this area for vacationers with children, as it is too noisy and the sea may not be very clean. By the way, swimming in Patong is best on the right side of the beach, where the water is always cleaner, even in the off-season. We swam in Patong and in general it's fine here. For more information about the beach, see the article -.
Photo of Patong beach in high season (January) 
Patong in low season(May)
Kata is another Russian district
This is where most of the Russian people, especially those who came to Phuket on a package tour. So, do not be surprised that Russian signs will periodically flash before your eyes. The area is developed, there are many bars and restaurants, there is a small Makro supermarket and several Tesco Express, several markets. The area of Kata and Karon are almost identical and differ little if not to compare the beaches.
Kata City 
Beach street on Katya
A considerable number of people prefer family holidays here, despite the fact that on Katya, as well as on Karon, the sea is not the calmest, especially for small children. The neighboring beaches, Kata Noi and Karon, are within walking distance. If you settle on the right side of Kata, then you will have to walk along a very smelly river to the beach. Yes, and the sea on the right side smells, as this river flows into it at the end of the beach. So that left side Kata is more preferable. For more information about the beach, see the article -.
Photos of Kata Beach
Kamala - a relaxing holiday on a beautiful beach
Kamala is a very pleasant and quiet area. Less developed than the previous one. Far fewer tourists. There are practically no Russians. But still, there is one large Big C supermarket and a medium-sized Tesco Lotus Express, which operates twice a week, shops and tents with clothes. The Kamala area is an excellent option for those who do not want to spend their holidays in the epicenter of noise and traffic, but at the same time want to be in civilization. The beach here is one of the best, which we constantly recommend to both young and old people. Read more about the beach here -.
Photo of Kamala beach 
View of Kamala 
Main road in Kamala
Bang Tao - a quiet resort, ideal for families with children
The Bang Tao area is very different from everyone else. Everything here is like in a village. Roosters and chickens walk the streets, cows graze in the meadows, small one-story houses. Bangtao is predominantly Muslim. Local people are distinguished by friendliness and goodwill. Very quiet and peaceful. Those who want only silence, birdsong and roosters in the morning will like the Bang Tao area. And, of course, who needs only a few small shops in the area. The beach is also excellent, as in Kamala. For kids better than the beach not to be found, since the sea is always calm, the waves are small, there is a lot of natural shade. Read more in the article -.
Photo of the beach in Bang Tao 
Central street in Bangtao 
beach street 
Bang Tao village
Surin - considered a VIP area
It is considered an elite area, and the prices for tours here are simply off scale. All because here nice beach with clear water and many expensive hotels in the nearby hills. Despite the fact that the beach is cool, the sea in this area is often restless, high waves almost all year round. The infrastructure is not well developed. There is not a large selection of cafes with restaurants, just as there is no market. The contingent of tourists is mostly Europeans. I would recommend the Surin area to young couples. Read more about the beach in the article -.
Photos of Surin Beach 
Descent to Surin beach on the right side 
Streets of Surin 
Condominium in Surin
Nai Harn - the southernmost beach for a relaxing holiday
Like Surin, Nai Harn Beach has been awarded the title of not only an expensive resort, but also the most beautiful beach all over Phuket. Assigned not by us, but we partly agree with this opinion and believe that Nai Harn beach is worthy of attention. Here is a kind of cove. There are many mothers with children, many families who have settled here for a long time. The area is poorly developed. There are no shopping centers here, not a lot of cafes and shops. Near the beach there is a Russian restaurant, periodically flashing posters with the inscription "Kvass". A good area and suitable for those who appreciate, first of all, silence and relaxation, and not the night noise under the windows. More details at the link -.
Naiharn beach 
beach street 
Nai Harn Village
Lake and condo in Nai Harn
Yanui - a tiny beach among the mountains
The Yanui area can be called a stretch, since the beach itself seems to be considered either a continuation of the Nai Harn area, or the western part of Rawai. Yanui is surrounded by greenery, with small mountains on both sides. There are only a few hotels here. Moreover, there is only one near the sea, the rest are either on the hills or closer to Rawai beach. The sea on Yanui beach is perfectly clean during the season. Many people come specifically for snorkeling. You can swim with children, as the sea is calm. But the infrastructure is almost zero. Eat only in the hotel and go nowhere. You will have to go to the Nai Harn area, which is very close and convenient, or even closer to the Rawai area. More details -.
Photo of Yanui beach in high season 
beach street 
Lots of greenery
Rawai - inaccessible beach
There is enough life in the Rawai area, although it is not quite fussy and bright. There is a good seafood market, shops and simple cafes. You can walk around those places where there is life in 10 minutes. After dark, everyone goes to bed, except for a couple of bars, and there will be no fun here. And most importantly, there is no beach! More precisely, you can’t swim, it’s shallow and dirty, there are a lot of fishing boats. More about the beach big photo and see the video in the article -.
Photo of Rawai beach 
beach street 
Chalong - bad beach, boat dock
The Chalong area has a beach that doesn't exist. On Chalong there is a pier from where boats and boats depart to the islands near Phuket. Therefore, when settling in this area, do not count on swimming, as the beach is very dirty. It is also shallow here, at low tide the water goes far, exposing the muddy bottom. But feel free to expect that there will be a shopping center nearby, cafes with low prices and tents with excursions. If you are more or less independent traveler with personal motor vehicles, then this area is acceptable. But it cannot be considered as an option for recreation. More in the article -.
Bay in Chalong 
Chalong Ring - Roundabout to Karon, Kata, Rawai Beaches and Chalong Pier
Kathu District - no sea
The Kathu area is popular with winterers and other "long-livers" in Phuket. It is far from the sea, in the very center of the island, the nearest beach from this area is Patong. The advantages of the area is that in Kathu in any season low prices for housing, there are normal Thai prices in the markets and in cafes without tourist markups. Many locals don't speak English. Within a 10 minute drive you will find yourself in the shopping centers Macro, Big C, Tesco and with a large selection of food and clothing. The Kathu area is not suitable for vacation or recreation, since housing is also rented there more often on a monthly basis. According to our impressions, this is the most unsuitable area for recreation. Only if you have your own transport.
Condominium Plus in Kathu
Phuket Town - no sea, no tourist life
The central district, where the whole life of the local population is concentrated. Apart from the center of the old town, Phuket Town can be called a non-tourist area. Catering is well developed here, there are many cafes, macaques, shops and markets for locals, well-developed public transport in the form of pink buses. There are several condominiums in the town where you can rent an apartment at a good price in any season. Main shopping centers are also located in Phuket Town.
View of Phuket Town 
But there is not a single beach in Town, so this area, if you are a tourist, will suit you only if you are not embarrassed to get to the beaches of Phuket every time not on foot, but by transport. If, then this is not the most pleasant experience. So, it’s better not to consider it without your own transport either.
Evening traffic jams in town
Brief summary of Phuket districts
While you are thinking about the question “Where to go to Phuket”, I will summarize and briefly outline the main points for each area of the island.
- The most noisy, party and developed area - Patong
- The most touristic area, with numerous restaurants and cafes - Patong, Kata and Karon
- The most family areas - Bang Tao, Kamala
- Area with luxury hotels - Surin
- The quietest and least developed area is Yanuy
- Areas where there are many Russians are Nai Harn, Karon, Kata.
- The most not tourist areas– Phuket Town, Kathu, Chalong, Thalang
Phuket tour cost schedule
Which beach to choose in Phuket for relaxation
Which beach to choose for recreation? It all depends on how you want to relax.
- If you have fun, drink, go to bars, then definitely Patong.
- If you want peace, tranquility and solitude, then consider the options on the beaches of Bangtao, Maikao and Yanui.
- If you want something in between, choose the popular Karon, Kata or the lesser known Kamala, Surin and Nai Harn.
- For those who are going to rent a car to travel around the entire island and neighboring provinces, the Kathu and Phuket Town areas are suitable, since they are located in the center of the island, it will be convenient to get everywhere.
